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Time to grab some hot chocolate, because this wintry wedding shot by Dixie Pixel Photography will leave you cozing up on the sofa while viewing these images and reading their story. David and Bettina (who owns a catering company herself I Luv Lux) had a New Year’s wedding filled to the brim with sweet touches and lots of sparkle.

From the bride, Bettina: Being in the wedding business myself (I own a catering business, bakery, and vintage rental company), most people that know me thought I would have tons of ideas for my own wedding. Believe it or not, I really had no clue! I knew I wanted a winter/holiday themed wedding. There is just something that is in the air around the end of the year that makes people so happy. David and I have spent the past eight years together and the thought of starting a brand new chapter of our lives and beginning a brand new year as a married couple felt very romantic. Once we set the date and selected The Knoxville Museum of Art, things just started to come together.

For us, the ceremony was a moment in time where we were able to honor our love for one another and celebrate our relationship with all the people who have loved and supported us throughout our lives. It was important for us to create an atmosphere in which our guest felt welcomed and special. For the ceremony we decided we wanted our guests to sit all around us, so we stood in the center of the room. We filled the room with touches of wood, using branches from trees we collected from our neighborhood and blue up lighting to create a wintery space. In the reception hall, I stuck with white… White table cloths, white flowers, white table numbers, menus, etc. We accented everything with pops of metals… Gold, silver, and sparkles to create a festive spirit.

We saved money by doing many things by ourselves. We collected old Christmas trees to place outside the venue covered with framed photos of our loved ones that have past away. We designed and printed our programs and menus and wrapped them in washi tape to match our invitations. I collected old picture frames, painted them gold and used them for our seating chart. My daughters and I collected pine cones and spray painted them gold for the place card holders. I used mailbox numbers and mini canvases painted solid white to create our custom table numbers. I made the flower girls headbands and my step-mother knitted their wrap sweaters. A friend brewed three special beers for our guests. We also created our hot chocolate wedding favors. It was a lot of time to invest, but we worked on these items though out the year. It just ended up making us even more excited for the big day!

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? I feel that choosing vendors that you trust and see your vision is the most important thing you can do. From the food to the flowers to the cake… I had no worries because I knew that the team I had hired was going to do everything they could to make my night amazing. Hire a make up artist and have your hair done. It makes you feel so pretty and special.

I only have one regret… Not having a videographer. It was something I did not think I needed or even wanted. As a bride, there is a whole portion of the ceremony that you are not a part of… you are the LAST to enter! I wish I could see David, his guys… the ring bearer as they entered the room… Hear the band playing those carefully chosen songs again… We have amazing pictures, but I would go back and time and hire someone to video the ceremony if I could.

I always thought that at my wedding these little white flowers were the most consistent part of floral arrangement but did not know how it would come the final effect. After these pictures I have officially decided: I want them!

Looks almost unreal. I love the bridesmaids’ dresses and the flowers selection, I love that grandpa picture on the Christmas tree, such a lovely thing to remember. Really great event, bravoo for the planner:)